Everybody accused of a crime is innocent until a court says otherwise. What you do within the time you are being charged and when you appear in court will play a significant role in your case's outcome.
For starters, you have to maintain calm and positive psychology. Do not hesitate to get a defense lawyer to boost your chance of being acquitted.
According to the Law Office of Scott C. Thomas, a law firm with a competent DUI Defense Attorney Near Santa Ana California, not everyone arrested is guilty of the alleged crime.
Meanwhile, some still get convicted because of their choice of attorney.
The three important questions
Answer the three questions below satisfactorily before you start finding a defense lawyer for your case.
- Why do I need a lawyer?
Not all situations would require you to get legal representation. Identifying such instances is very tricky. This is why you are advised to talk to a lawyer when you are arrested for a crime or after an accident caused by driving under the influence (DUI).
- What outcome am I expecting?
Know what you want before reaching out to lawyers. This might be bail or getting a verdict of not guilty.
- What is my budget?
Prices vary from one law firm to another. Most of the time, the amount charged by a lawyer corresponds to the competence of their team and reputation. This does not mean no lawyers are overcharging for their deliverability. Know your budget and ensure to get corresponding value for your money.
How to choose the perfect defense attorney
Now that you know what you expect from your lawyer, take note and read the tips below carefully to choose the one that suits your case.
Experience
Criminal defense is a speciality. You may tank your case by hiring a lawyer proficient in other laws like civil laws. Only choose a defense attorney with a considerable number of years practicing. There is a higher probability such counsel would have handled a case similar to yours, making it easier to prepare your case for a win.
Communication
Book a consultation with your shortlisted lawyers before deciding on any. Observe how they relate to you. Go for someone passionate about your case. A communicative lawyer should be easily reachable.
The office address should also be easy to locate and visit for you. Avoid law firms that take days to respond to your inquiry. Check somewhere else if the lawyer is dictating how your case would be handled without seeking your input.
Confidence
To win a case, a lawyer needs to be confident and convincing. Take note of your potential counsel's body language during your first meeting. An attorney's confidence usually comes with years of experience.
If they have handled the same or similar case before, they would be able to tell you the best defense strategy.
Location
Defense law varies from one locality to another. Hiring a defense attorney in your local instead of a big firm in another state is recommended. Such a lawyer would most likely be familiar with the area's laws and should also have experience arguing similar cases.
Meanwhile, there are some firms with branches in different states and locals. Double-check their office address to confirm if they are close to you.
Testimonials
Some law firms' websites have a section for testimonials, a review by previous clients. Read through to see if you will be satisfied with the kind of service they offer them.
If there is none on the website or the firm does not have a site, ask the lawyer to provide contact of past clients who can review their performance.
You can also ask friends and relatives for referrals.
Watch out for these two things
Once you filter your list of lawyers down to the ones that are competent to handle your case, watch out for these two things before finally signing them as your lawyer;
- Bail
It is one thing for a lawyer to secure bail for you; it is another thing to win such an offer without any need for a bond. Avoid lawyers that only talk about getting you bail without any strategy to secure it at a zero-cost clause.
- Fee
Some lawyers may hide the full details of their fees from you during consultation. Down the line, while the case is going on, you might discover you have already spent beyond the given total budget.
Always ask for all hidden fees and payment plans. For instance, lawyers who charge per hearing may have a different price for each hearing.
